About the position
The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager at Amy's Kitchen plays a pivotal role in leading continuous and sustainable improvement initiatives within the manufacturing plants. This position is essential for fostering a culture of standards and continuous improvement, empowering employees at all levels to become problem solvers. The CI Manager will work closely with the Plant Manager to guide and mentor team members through the Plan-Do-Check-Adjust improvement cycle, simplifying complex systems to enhance operational efficiency. A typical day for the CI Manager involves leading the development and implementation of continuous improvement strategies tailored for the local manufacturing organization while sharing best practices across other plants and industries. The CI Manager will gain a deep understanding of manufacturing principles and technical specifications to bolster the facility's competencies. This role includes selecting, training, and mentoring CI Coordinators and Process Improvement Coordinators, ensuring they develop a CI mindset and become future leaders in the organization. The CI Manager will design and deliver training materials focused on CI methodologies and tools, partnering with the leadership team to document and implement standard work processes aimed at eliminating non-value-added activities. Additionally, the CI Manager will develop current and future state Value Stream Maps, coaching teams through various planning cycles to achieve desired outcomes. This role also encompasses evaluating process capabilities, developing process control plans, and leading efforts to reduce manufacturing variation. The CI Manager will establish comprehensive plant performance metrics and collaborate with plant leadership to implement cost-saving initiatives and waste reduction projects. By prioritizing improvement activities and addressing gaps, the CI Manager will maintain and enhance visual controls to identify improvement opportunities. Daily accountability processes will be facilitated through the Management Operating System, and the CI Manager will exemplify leadership through Gemba walks and front-line engagement. Teaching and facilitating Root Cause Analysis at all levels is a critical aspect of this role, as is preparing periodic presentations of project outcomes to the leadership team. The CI Manager will also recognize and address behaviors that hinder continuous improvement, ensuring that the value of CI is communicated throughout the organization.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development/implementation of continuous improvement efforts for the local Manufacturing organization and sharing of best practices with other plants/industries.
- Gain knowledge of manufacturing principles and technical specifications to support facilities competencies.
- Select, train, and mentor CI Coordinator and Process Improvement Coordinators to become future leaders with the CI mindset.
- Design and deliver training material for CI training and the right application of tools/methodologies.
- Partner with the leadership team to lead the development, documentation and implementation of standard work and process mapping to eliminate Non-Value-Added work.
- Develop current and future state Value Stream Maps and coach teams through quarterly, monthly and weekly plans to move towards future state.
- Lead the development and evaluation of process capability, process control plans, analysis of out-of-control conditions and process audits.
- Lead the development of methods and practices to reduce manufacturing variation.
- Lead the development of comprehensive plant performance metrics.
- Partner with plant leadership to implement cost savings and reduction of waste projects.
- Work through the leadership team to prioritize improvement activities and close gaps.
- Develop, maintain and improve visual controls to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Facilitate the daily accountability process through the Management Operating System.
- Be a leadership example through Gemba walks and front-line engagement.
- Ensure problems are being solved at the right level, and the right people are involved in the process that supports a collaborative team environment.
- Teach and facilitate Root Cause Analysis at all levels.
- Prepare periodic presentations of projects to leadership team.
- Recognize and address individual or group behaviors that limit continuous improvement.
- Teach others (up and down) the value and importance of continuous improvement.
- In this individual's absence, CI Coordinator can cover their duties and responsibilities.
- Collaborate and partner with other CI Managers to share best practices, maintain standards and assist corporate initiatives.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Four years related manufacturing experience and/or training.
- Formal training/certification in Lean and Six Sigma with at least 3 years of related experience.
- Experienced Lean and Six Sigma trainer and mentor.
- Detailed knowledge of lean manufacturing techniques - i.e. value stream mapping, one-piece flow, problem solving, etc.
- Detailed knowledge of Six Sigma concepts and tools as they relate to minimizing process/product variability.
- Thorough understanding of problem-solving methodologies used in determining root cause and formulating corrective action(s).
- Excellent teaching/coaching skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with people at all organizational levels, from the shop floor up to and including senior-level leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and collaboration, not authority.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Experience leading MOS implementations would be a distinct advantage.
- Excellent project management skills.
Nice-to-haves
- Bilingual, English/Spanish preferred.
- Certification in Lean and Six Sigma preferred.
Benefits
- Medical coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Matching retirement savings plan
- Free Family Health Center with bilingual services for employees and their families.
